Single-cell analysis of neoplastic plasma cells identifies myeloma pathobiology mediators and potential targets.

Multiple myeloma is a clonal plasma cell (PC) dyscrasia that arises from precursors and has been studied utilizing approaches focused on CD138 cells. By combining single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with scB-cell receptor sequencing (scBCR-seq), we differentiate monoclonal/neoplastic from polyclonal/normal PCs and find more dysregulated genes, especially in precursor patients, than we would have by analyzing bulk PCs. To determine whether this approach can identify oncogenes that contribute to disease pathobiology, mitotic arrest deficient-2 like-1 (MAD2L1) and S-adenosylmethionine synthase isoform type-2 (MAT2A) are validated as targets with drug-like molecules that suppress myeloma growth in preclinical models.

Fundus Curvature as a Clinical Marker for Posterior Staphyloma Based on Widefield Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: To investigate the ability to quantify fundus curvature and detect posterior staphyloma using widefield optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Design: Cross-sectional diagnostic evaluation.

Methods: This study reviewed 205 highly myopic eyes of 205 participants.

Deep Learning Model for the Differential Diagnosis of Nasal Polyps and Inverted Papilloma by CT Images: A Multicenter Study.

Rationale And Objectives: Nasal polyps (NP) and inverted papilloma (IP) are benign tumors within the nasal cavity, each necessitating distinct treatment approaches. Herein, we investigate the utility of a deep learning (DL) model for distinguishing between NP and IP.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1791 patients with nasal benign tumors from two hospitals were retrospectively enrolled.

Real-world impact of luspatercept on red blood cell transfusions among patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: A United States healthcare claims database study.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are associated with anemia and the need for blood transfusions. In clinical trials, luspatercept reduced transfusion dependency among patients with lower-risk MDS. This United States (US) study describes real-world clinical outcomes pre- and post-luspatercept initiation among patients with MDS.

Analysis of growth pattern of temporal bone pneumatization using 3D reconstructed computed tomography.

Background: Temporal bone pneumatization (TBP) is influenced by age, sex, and race, and it seems to progress rapidly to puberty. However, the extent of TBP in childhood remains unclear.

Purpose: To investigate the progression of TBP in children aged 1-18 years via three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) images.

Blood Pressure-Lowering Medications, Sodium Reduction, and Blood Pressure.

Background: Both blood pressure-lowering medication and sodium reduction are effective in hypertension control, but whether the effect of sodium reduction differ across blood pressure-lowering medications is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the dose-response effect of sodium intake reduction on blood pressure in treated hypertensive individuals and the impact of different classes of blood pressure-lowering drugs.

Methods: We searched multiple databases and reference lists up to July 9, 2024.

A Novel Anti-CD38 Monoclonal Antibody for Treating Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody-mediated platelet destruction. Treatment with CM313, a novel anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, can result in targeted clearance of CD38-positive cells, including plasma cells.

Methods: We conducted a phase 1-2, open-label study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CM313 in adult patients with ITP.

Preparation of Solid Superacid SO/ZrO and SO/ZrO-MO (M=Ce, Co, Mn, and Zn) and Its Application in Toluene Nitration.

The nitration reaction of aromatic compounds is one of the extensively studied chemical reactions that result in the manufacturing of various industrial products applied in pharmaceuticals, dyes, perfumes, and explosives. A series of modified sulfated zirconia (SZ) catalysts SO/ZrO-MO (M=Ce, Co, Mn, Zn, and M/SZ) doped with different metal elements by a coprecipitation method were investigated in the toluene nitration reaction. Various characterization techniques (X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia) indicated that doping metal elements in SZ led to excellent catalytic properties, increasing the specific surface area of the catalyst and facilitating the formation of a stable tetragonal zirconia phase.

Efficacy and Safety of Tirofiban Before Stenting for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background And Objectives: Acute stent thrombosis (AST) is not uncommon and even catastrophic during intracranial stenting angioplasty in patients with symptomatic high-grade intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether adjuvant intravenous tirofiban before stenting could reduce the risk of AST and periprocedural ischemic stroke in patients receiving stent angioplasty for symptomatic ICAS.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted from September 9, 2020, to February 18, 2022, at 10 medical centers in China.

AVCAPIR: A Novel Procalcific PIWI-Interacting RNA in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease.

Background: Calcification of the aortic valve leads to increased leaflet stiffness and consequently results in the development of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). However, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of calcification remain unclear. Here, we identified a novel aortic valve calcification-associated PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA; AVCAPIR) that increases valvular calcification and promotes CAVD progression.

Development and Validation of a Computed Tomography-Based Radiomics Nomogram for the Preoperative Prediction of Central Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

Rationale And Objectives: This study aims to develop and validate a computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics nomogram for pre-operatively predicting central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and explore the underlying biological basis by using RNA sequencing data.

Methods: This study trained 452 PTMC patients across two hospitals from January 2012 to December 2020. The sets were randomly divided into the training (n = 339), internal test (n = 86), external test (n = 27) sets.

Minimal residual disease detection by next-generation sequencing of different immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in pediatric B-ALL.

While the prognostic role of immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (IGH) rearrangement in minimal residual disease (MRD) in pediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has been reported, the contribution of light chain loci (IGK/IGL) remains elusive. This study is to evaluate the prognosis of IGH and IGK/IGL rearrangement-based MRD detected by next-generation sequencing in B-ALL at the end of induction (EOI) and end of consolidation (EOC). IGK/IGL rearrangements identify 5.

Reduced regulatory effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on activated T lymphocytes and Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion in children with aplastic anemia.

Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is a recognized immune-mediated disorder and abnormally activated T lymphocyte-mediated bone marrow destruction is considered to be its main pathogenesis. Whether abnormal activation of T lymphocytes would also damage bone marrow-derived MSCs remains to be further studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the extent of T lymphocyte activation and the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines of AA patients, and to explore the immunomodulatory effects of BM-MSCs on IL-2-stimulated T lymphocyte activation and cytokine production in vitro by means of transwell co-culture assay and flow cytometry measurement.

Phase 1b trial of anti-EGFR antibody JMT101 and Osimertinib in EGFR exon 20 insertion-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.

EGFR exon 20 insertion (20ins)-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an uncommon disease with limited therapeutic options and dismal prognosis. Here we report the activity, tolerability, potential mechanisms of response and resistance for dual targeting EGFR 20ins with JMT101 (anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody) plus osimertinib from preclinical models and an open label, multi-center phase 1b trial (NCT04448379). Primary endpoint of the trial is tolerability.

Safety and immunogenicity of a skin- and neuro-attenuated live vaccine for varicella: a randomized, double-blind, controlled, dose-escalation and age de-escalation phase 1 clinical trial.

Background: Despite the success in decreasing varicella-related disease burden, live-attenuated Oka vaccine strain of varicella-zoster virus (vOka) remains neuro-virulence and may establish latency and reactivate, raising safety concerns. Here we aimed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a skin- and neuro-attenuated varicella vaccine candidate (v7D).

Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation and age de-escalation phase 1 clinical trial conducted in Liuzhou, China (ChiCTR1900022284).

Orelabrutinib for the treatment of relapsed or refractory MCL: a phase 1/2, open-label, multicenter, single-arm study.

Relapsed or refractory (r/r) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell malignancy with a poor prognosis. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a mediator of B-cell receptor signaling and is associated with the development of B-cell lymphomas. Patients with r/r MCL were enrolled in this phase 1/2 study and treated with orelabrutinib, a novel, highly selective BTK inhibitor.

USH2A Gene Mutations in Rabbits Lead to Progressive Retinal Degeneration and Hearing Loss.

Purpose: Mutations in USH2A gene are responsible for the greatest proportion of the Usher Syndrome (USH) population, among which more than 30% are frameshift mutations on exon 13. A clinically relevant animal model has been absent for USH2A-related vision loss. Here we sought to establish a rabbit model carrying USH2A frameshift mutation on exon 12 (human exon 13 equivalent).

Spectrum and clinical features of gene mutations in Chinese pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Purpose: The 5-year survival rate of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is 85-90%, with a 10-15% rate of treatment failure. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) identified recurrent mutated genes in ALL that might alter the diagnosis, classification, prognostic stratification, treatment, and response to ALL. Few studies on gene mutations in Chinese pediatric ALL have been identified.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in pediatric patients with hematological malignancy.

Background And Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in identifying microbiological etiologies in pediatric patients with hematological malignancies undergoing fever of unknown origin (FUO).

Methods: A total of 147 children with hematological malignancy suffering febrile diseases without definite microbiological etiologies under conventional tests were enrolled. The clinical record, serum inflammatory biomarkers and mNGS results were analyzed.

Visible Light Optical Coherence Tomography of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Reflectivity in Glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical utility of visible light optical coherence tomography (VIS-OCT) and to test whether VIS-OCT reflectivity and spectroscopy of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) are correlated with severity of glaucoma, compared with standard-of-care OCT thickness measurements.

Methods: In total 54 eyes (20 normal, 17 suspect/preperimetric glaucoma [GS/PPG], 17 perimetric glaucoma [PG]) were successfully imaged with complete datasets. All the eyes were scanned by a custom-designed dual-channel device that simultaneously acquired VIS-OCT and near-infrared OCT (NIR-OCT) images.